Monday, January 23, 2012

The focus is Burma and the posting is dedicated to the Shwedagon Pagodaရွှေတိဂုံ ဘုရာ also called Shwedagon Paya in Yangon. Glorious and completely over the top, I was stunned by its beauty at sunset and touched by the devotion of the people. I hope you will be too when you see the photos.

Gleaming in gold and decorated with diamonds, it is a spectacular work of Burmese temple architecture and is the holiest Buddhist shrine in Myanmar.

Legend has it that the Shwedagon Pagoda is 2,500 years old, but archaeologists estimate it was first built sometime between the 6th and 10th centuries (i.e. during the Bagan period).

This first photo is one of the 4 entrances to Shwedagon Pagoda. Next time Inlay Lake and it's local markets. See you then. Alan

A close up from the same spot

Beautiful pillars just inside thesouthern entrance

The Pagoda is 112 metres high

You can see that part of it is being repaired

Gold everywhere which gleamsin the golden sunlight of lateafternoon

There are shrines as you walkaround the main stupa. Buddhists walkin a clockwise direction (as do Hindus).To do this is auspicious and perhapscomes from the direction the planets rotatearound the sun. You are in harmonywith the energy of the universe

Packed tightly together

Golden and gleaming Buddha

The large platform/terrace that supports thegreat stupa contains a variety of other stupas,prayer halls, sculptures and shrines

Daniela with Magnolia, a Burmesefriend who showed us so much kindness

A number of the shrines areassociated with eight "days"(Wednesday is divided intomorning and afternoon),based on one's day of birth.Each has an associated planet,direction and animal sign

It is very important for Burmesebuddhists to know which day of theweek they are born, so theyknow which shrine they shouldpray at

A rather different building. Does anyone knowwhat it is? A water tank comes to mind but thatcan't be right!

The gold seen on the stupa is made of genuinegold plates, covering the brick structure andattached by traditional rivets

One of the many shrinessurrounding the main stupa

The Buddha inside in shadowand light

Awesome!

Myanmar people all over the country, as wellas monarchs in its history, have donated goldto the pagoda to maintain it. The practicecontinues to this day after being started in the15th century by the Mon Queen Shin Sawbu,who gave her weight in gold (she wasn't veryheavy, only 40 kg!)

Gorgeous colours and lines

All shapes and sizes!

A cluster of prayer halls

Talk about being in your face!

Fabulous pavilion with imagesof the Buddha

Which way to look first!

Bathed in gold

The Pagoda Terrace is one of the mostamazing sights I have seen

Bathing the Baby Buddha of your birth dayis very auspicious

A male monk talking to two femalenuns

It is the ambition of everyBurmese monk to visitShwedagon, the holiest Pagodain Burma

Devotion

Cleaning

I love this photo

Workers

A forest of stupas!

Steps for refurbishing the mainstupa. Even they seem gold!

The crown (or umbrella) of the main stupa istipped with 5,448 diamonds and 2,317 rubies.The very top, the diamond bud is tipped witha 76 carat (15 g) diamond.............

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About Me

The main purpose of my blog is to share my life and travel experiences with my friends and relatives in different parts of the world. But, of course, all are welcome, and I welcome your comments and suggstions. If you like my photos have a look at my 500px gallery. Click on the link on the black bar at the top of the home page or go here http://500px.com/alan8460